Rachel Gregersen is, first and foremost, a designer. She combines her love of interiors, architecture, fabrics, and art with a degree in design and over 25 years of industry experience to meet with clients to help them determine what’s the best look for their homes.

Gregersen’s career ranges from working directly with clients to being on the executive team leading the window treatment division of a national company, where she oversaw the merchandise-buying and training for over 1,000 sales representatives nationwide.

But it’s the personal touch that gets her excited. Which is why, in 2014, she started Beyond Shades, a custom design company that works one-on-one with clients to provide just the right window and wall coverings for their homes.

“I pride myself in approaching each project, whether it’s one window or an entire home or building, with a clean slate that makes it all about the client and their needs,” Gregersen says. “I’m thrilled to be close to the client and to be building the Chicago area’s leading team in window design.”

Gregersen is the owner and manager of the Beyond Shades showroom in Oak Brook — one of the first fully updated and automated Hunter Douglas showrooms in the country — and an In-Home Consultation Only service based in Elmhurst, where she lives with her family. She works with a team of designer consultants and installers serving Chicago’s West Suburbs and the rest of the Chicagoland area.

“Purchasing custom window coverings can be quite daunting, and they can be among the larger-ticket items that come with a new home, a home addition, or a remodel,” Gregersen says. “We have the team to help clients at their own pace and in their own space.”

Personal attention is the company’s “sweet spot” and Gregersen says no decisions are made without meeting clients in-person in their homes. A great way for potential clients to get started is to visit the Oak Brook showroom where many of the top Hunter Douglas products are on display.

“We adore serving the community, are locally owned, and while we are located in DuPage County, we are growing and serving all of Chicagoland.” Gregersen says. “It’s important to me that we provide the highest quality products and service to the local community.”

Given advances in technology, the bulk of Gregersen’s business is now automated shades that can be raised or lowered with an app and that have no visible cords. They are especially appealing for those concerned about security or who want to control lighting when they’re away from home. Offering the latest designs and the latest technology is just part of Gregersen’s philosophy of putting the customer first.

“One of the company values that drives our success is that every customer and every project is a VIP,” she says. “We are as passionate and committed to working with a client, regardless of the size of their needs.”

The Beyond Shades showroom is located at 17W508 22nd Street in Oak Brook, 630-387-9974, bshades.com. In-home consultation appointments can be booked by calling 630-491-4384.